Professional Staff Development Endowment Fund (PSDEF)

2025 Round Dates

The Professional Staff Development Endowment Fund seeks to assist the development of professional staff of the University to enable them to contribute to the University beyond the expectations of their current role. It is used to support short courses, conferences and comparable professional development initiatives.

Grants of up to $2,500 are available for the cost of registrations and/or course materials. Local areas are expected to contribute at least 50 per cent towards the total cost of the proposed development initiative.

Eligibility

1. The Professional Staff Development Endowment Fund is open to all professional staff (excluding casuals) who have been continuously employed at the University for at least one year (excluding casual appointments), provided that the:
   1. Professional staff on a fixed term appointment are employed for a minimum of a two-year contract, and have at least 12 months remaining on their contract; or Professional staff on a continuing contingent funded appointment for a minimum of two years, have at least 12 months of that funding remaining.
      1. Applications may still be considered for cases where the staff member’s position has less than 12 months funding remaining, provided that the College General Manager or Service Division Director endorses that an extension is expected which will extend the position funding to at least 12 months.
   2. Professional staff are not on an extended period of Leave Without Pay.
2. The staff member’s performance process identifies that the:
   1. eligible staff member’s performance is at least satisfactory or better (in the most recent completed performance process or as indicated by the supervisor on the PSDEF application form); and
   2. program is identified in, and directly relevant to the staff member’s current performance process.
3. Local areas are to contribute at least 50 per cent towards the cost of the proposed development initiative.

Submitting an application

1. Applications must be submitted during an open scholarship round by the published deadline, and written on the current, approved Professional Staff Development Endowment Fund application form, comprising of:
   1. Staff member details, details of the development initiative, and funding amount requested (up to $2,500 AUD);
   2. Applicant case: how does the development initiative align with the staff member’s future career direction;
   3. Details of how the program supports the teaching/research/administrative direction of the College/Division/Centre;
   4. An acceptable plan to disseminate results or otherwise share newfound expertise and knowledge more widely in the University community;
   5. Supervisor’s supporting statement, and Dean, Director, Service Division Director or College General Manager endorsement;
   6. Confirmation from the supervisor that the staff member’s performance meets expectations or better, and that the development sought is relevant to the staff member’s current role and career development;
   7. Documentation on the development initiative demonstrating program content and costs.